Improvement in electric baths



M. W. HOUSE.

ELECTRIC BATH.

Patented May 5 THE scams wzrzns co. Puma-urns" WASHINGTON, x:

- UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

MARK w. HoUsE, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

'l-MPRQVEMENT m ELECTRIC BATHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,389, dated May 5, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be itknown-that I, MARK W. HOUSE, of

ing drawings, making part of this specification, in which- F-igurel is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is a view, of the under side of the tray.

' The nature of myinvention relates, first, to constituting the head electrode the terminus of two batteries, which may receive the positive and negative from either of the batteries or instruments, or both of the posit-ives from two distinct batteries or instruments, or both negative currents from two distinct batteriesor instruments, thus completing a double current through a single electrode, While the opposite 'poles of the batteries respectively terminate in traversing electrodes upon the sides of the tub, thus completing the circuit of either or both of the batteries or induced currents through any conducting medium placed between the connected electrodes.

My invention, relates, second, to placing conductors along the sides of I the tub, as described, and attachin g theretotraversin g electrodes, as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

My invention relates, third, to such an arrangement of traversing electrodes that two independent sets of currents can'be worked at p the same time in the same direction or in opposite directions, either longitudinally, transversely, or diagonally through the tub. My invention relates, fourth, to working a primary uninterrupted current in connection with an inducedinterrupted current, either or bothof whichmay be local or general, as hereinafter specified.

My invention relates, fifth, to an adjustable head electrode, which can be enlarged or dimiuishedat pleasure for the purpose of diffusin g or concentrating the electrical currents, as described in the following specification.

The bath-tub A maybe made of any suitable material, in length about six feet, in width about two .feet, and .in depth about eighteen inches. It may be elevated upon legs so that the top is about three feet from the floor. Both the interior and exterior should be thoroughly painted. Within this tub is placed thebasket B. (Shown also in Fig. 2.) This may be made of open-work, and of the samematerial as canebottom chair-seats, upon alight frame, the head end,.B, being inclined upward for supporting the head of the patient whose bodylies in this basket while taking a bath.

The basket can be removed at pleasure for the purpose of cleaning the tub.

To the under side of theinclined part B of the basket, I attach the head electrode, 0, con sistingof two or more plates, so arranged and connected that they can slide upon each other, and thus be extended, as shown in Fig. 2, or contracted to the limits of one plate for the purpose of diffusing or concentrating the action as desired.

D represents a conductor that connects with the headelectrode, (J, the opposite eudof which conductor is secured to the head of the tub by a bii1ding-scre\i','E, which I place upon the tub for convenience. Any other position would answer the purpose. To this binding-screw is attached two switches, F F, for the purpose of completing or breaking the electrical circuits, as hereinafter stated.

- G H I represent threeconductors. The conductorG terminates in the button of the switch F. The conductor H passes into the tuband along the back side, as shown at H, and upon this conductor is placed traversing electrode J, forming constantly a contact therewith. This electrode J consists of a plateof thin metal about six inches wide, and long enough to reach the fluid constituting the bath. The conductor I passes down into the tub and runs along the inside of the front, as shown by the dotted line 1. Upon this conductor is placed the electrode K, whose position is indicated by the dotted lines. This electrode is constructed like that shown at J, and in the same manner forms a contact with its conductor: Both of these electrodes, as well as the others hereinafter described, can traverse the whole length of their respective conductors and be caused to pass and repass each other at pleasure. The conductors H and I can-be unitedto separate poles of the battery or electrical instrunient, thus completing a circuit through the electrodes J and K, either transversely or diagonally through the tub; or the conductors H and I can be united, making one pole, as shown at L, and thus form contact with either pole of the battery or instrument, while the circuit in this case is completed through the conductor G and head electrode, C.

M represents a conductor leading from a second battery or instrument, and forms contact with the button of the switch F.

N represents a conductor leading from the same (second) battery and instrument, and runs along the inside of the tub, as shown at N, and upon which slides the electrode P.

0 represents a conductor leading from the battery or instrument No. 2, and runs along the inside of the front of the tub, as indicated by the dotted line 0, and upon which slides the electrode Q.

The conductors N and 0 may be united at R in the same manner as previously shown, in relation to conductors H and I; or theymay be used as positive and negative, as in the case of H and I. It is hence evident that a number of difi'erent combinations can be efifected between the conductors G H1 and M 'N 0, not necessary here to particularize, except as hereinafter stated.

The operation of this apparatus is as follows: If I wish to pass a general direct interrupted current through the patient I make the head electrode, 0, positive (4-) and the traversing electrodes J and K negative (-),placing them near the foot of the tub. If an inverse current is required (as in many cases of palsy) the polarity of the current terminating in the head and traversing electrodes should be reversed. Transverse 0r diagonal interrupted currents can be passed through the patient by cnttin g off the current in the head electrode, 0, by switch F, and making H and I and the electrodes J and K oppositely electric. The direction of the current would depend upon the nature of the disease and thecfiect to be gained by its use. I also pass uninterrupted primary currents through the patient at the same time that the induced interrupted current is given, this current being more potent in producing chemical changes in the system than the interrupted induced current.

It is apparent that two distinct and separate currents, bot-h uninterrupted or both interrupted, or one interrupted and, one uninterrupted, can be passed through the patient at the same time and in direction to suit the nature of the case.

What I claim as my improvement, and dc' sire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Oonstituting the head electrode, 0, the terminus of two batteries, which may receive the positive and negative from either battery or instrument,or both of the positives, or both of the negatives, thus completing a double circuit through a single electrode, while the op osite poles of the batteries respectively terminate in traversing electrodes upon the sides of the tub, thuscompleting the circuit of I either or both of the batteries or induced current or currents through any conducting medium placed between them.

2. The traversing electrodes, in combina ion with conductors placed along the sides of the tub, as and for the purpose specified.

3. Such an arrangement of traversing electrodes that two independent sets of currents can be worked at the same time in the same direction or in opposite directions either longitudinally, transversely, or diagonally through the conducting medium in the tub.

4. Working aprimaryuninterruptcd current in connection with an inducedinterrupted eurrent, either or both of which may be local or general, combinedly or single, as specified.

5. The adjustable head electrode when constructed and arranged so as to expand and contract their surface, as and for the purpose set forth.

MARK W. HOUSE. Witnesses:

EDM. F. BnowN,

CHAS. Mo. D. Baown. 

